Whither Quo Vadis?: Sienkiewicz's Novel in Film and Television

Whither Quo Vadis? offers an engaging account of how the
Roman world and its history are represented in film and the way in
which the different adaptations reflect the shifting historical
situations and ideological concerns of their own times.

Explores five surviving film adaptations – Guazzoni's of
1912; D’Annunzio/Jacoby of 1925; Mervyn LeRoy's of 1951; the
Italian TV mini-series of 1985 by Franco Rossi; and
Kawalerowicz’s 2001 Polish version

Examines how these different versions interpret, select from,
and modify the novel and the ancient sources on which it is
based

Offers an exceptionally clear view of how films have presented
ancient Rome and how modern conditions determine its
reception

Looks at rare and archival material which has not previously
received close scholarly attention

Ruth Scodel is D. R. Shackleton Bailey Collegiate Professor
of Greek and Latin at the University of Michigan. She is the author
of Listening to Homer (2002) and Epic Facework:
Self-Presentation and Social Interaction in Homer (2008).

Anja Bettenworth is Assistant Professor of Latin at the
University of Münster. She is the author of Gastmahlszenen
in der antiken Epik von Homer bis Claudian. Diachrone
Untersuchungen zur Szenentypik (2004).

Explores five surviving film adaptations – Guazzoni's of
1912; D’Annunzio/Jacoby of 1925; Mervyn LeRoy's of 1951; the
Italian TV mini-series of 1985 by Franco Rossi; and
Kawalerowicz’s 2001 Polish version

Examines how these different versions interpret, select from,
and modify the novel and the ancient sources on which it is
based

Offers an exceptionally clear view of how films have presented
ancient Rome and how modern conditions determine its
reception

Looks at rare and archival material which has not previously
received close scholarly attention

“There is much to admire in this book. It has a clear focus
and a good set of questions. It knows its way round the five films
and around the classical sources, and is prepared to look at
broader issues in relation to the close reading of the
films.” (Bryn Mawr Classical Review, March 2009)

“A remarkable achievement! Scodel and Bettenworth have
produced a splendid synthesis at once inter-disciplinary and
cross-cultural. Informed by fine classical scholarship and incisive
film-criticism Whither Quo Vadis is a compelling
contribution to the study of world literature, history, religion,
cinema studies.”
–John F. Makowski, Loyola University Chicago

“A masterly analysis of all aspects of the art of making a
film from a historical novel. Written in a clear, engaging style,
it makes an enjoyable read, with extensive references for readers
who wish to explore the subject further.”
– David Hahm, Ohio State University

"Anyone interested in the translation of epic novel to epic film
will find valuable insights and learned nuggets here, especially
concerning gender roles and political subtexts in the four
cinematic versions (1912 to 2001) and the 1985 television
miniseries."
–Emily Albu, University of California, Davis

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